Fat Camp: Linebacker responsibilities in the Eagle defense

Doc BearFeb 22, 2013 1:30 PM

A recent re-reading of Football’s Eagle and Stack Defenses, written by longtime Penn State linebackers coach Ron Vanderlinden, turned up some information on the attacking 4-3 single gap and its versatility, as far as rolling the responsibilities of the players to match up with different downs, distances and probable plays.

It had me thinking about Jack Del Rio and his approach, which has some overlaps with my earlier musings. Vanderlinden’s discussion of the use of linebackers and reads was a perfect next step to reading Complete Linebacking, a book I also recommend highly, and which was written by Lou Tepper, under whom Vanderlinden coached with the CU Buffs in the 1980s.

I’ll get into eagle and stack defenses at another time, but there are some specifics here that can be adapted into many formations and schemes.

Vanderlinden's book provided some additional insights to the Broncos' use of the two lines, and the functions of the linebackers, from both the offensive and defensive perspectives. In Denver’s case, the Sam-Mike-Will players are in fairly normal positions when the Broncos are running base defense - which is about 35-45% of the plays, depending on the opponent.

Von Miller sometimes creeps up to the line of scrimmage, of course. Their scheme is such that it would benefit from a three-down middle linebacker, although there are always approaches around it. Keith Brooking did well for them last season and was often used as a stack linebacker, but his time in the league is limited.

It's when they go to nickel and dime formations that you expect to see two LBs behind the line of scrimmage and the Sam - and 99% of the time it's Miller - up in a two- or three-point DE stance, changing the alignment. Miller was more of a traditionally placed factor in the run game last season, but he can be moved around as a Joker, which has proved effective.

JDR has also been using the nickel and dime situations to have both Elvis Dumervil and Miller standing, with Derek Wolfe, Justin Bannan, and often either Kevin Vickerson or Mitch Unrein in the middle. It's not really a 5-2, nor is it a 4-3. The actual designation would be individual to the team, and is one area where terminology varies from team to team.

It is an 'odd' front, with a lot of specifics to the individual positions and players when there are three down lineman, and an even front when two linemen are down and Miller and Doom are in two-point stances (standing up). Let’s talk about the terminology and how the two linebackers who are behind the LOS (rather than the two defensive ends, as you’d generally label Dumervil and probably Miller as well, in that formation) might be used.

When you move to the nickel and dime packages, one or both of the two LBs who are behind the LOS would usually be in either a 50 or 51 designation in an eagle defense, which Denver did use on some downs last year.

In other words, the designation ‘5’ for the linebacker would have as his assignment the ‘5 gap’ if the play is run at him. In this case, we’re substituting the number rather than letters: 1 gap, 3 gap, 5 gap, and 7 gap instead of A gap, B gap, and C gap designations. It’s common, although fans can find it confusing. If you’re confused, it might help to look over TJ’s article on techniques and gaps here. That covers it well. His info on the over and under formations is also well worth a review.

A ‘50’ linebacker would have responsibility for the 5 gap (or C gap) if the run play is coming toward him and he has no specific gap responsibility - he's freelancing - in pursuit, when the run play is going away from him. That’s why the ‘0’ comes after the 5 designation - it’s not for a 0 technique, right over the center’s helmet, but an indication that there’s nothing specific that he’s assigned to except chasing down the ball.

Another possibility is that he'd have the 5 gap if the play is run at his side and the one gap on the same side of the center if the play is run moving away from him. In that case, you’d designate him as a ‘51’ LB - responsible for the 5 gap when the play comes to him and the 1 gap on his side of the center when the play is run away from him and he’s in pursuit of the ballcarrier.

There’s a third option: when you see a 52 designation for a linebacking corp, it doesn't mean the three down linemen and two LBs on the line that most folks got familiar with during the McDaniels era. It means that the LB is responsible for the 5 gap when the play is run toward his side of the center, or the 1 gap on the opposite side of the center if the play goes away from him. When using '2' as the second digit, the coach is saying that that LB has the ‘2’ gap if the play goes away from them.

There isn't really a two gap, but there is a two technique - the inside of the guard's shoulder. They’re using that’ 52’ designation to say that it's the 1 gap on the far side of the center that is the LB's assignment when he’s in pursuit, as the run goes away from him. That’s not the same as talking about a ‘two gap’ player, who has to choose between the two possible gaps at the snap. It’s always going to mean the A gap on the other side of the center for that LB.

So, to review:

The 50 linebacker is the LB who protects the 5 gap if the play is run towards him, and freelances when the run goes away from him.

The 51 linebacker protects the 5 gap if the play is run toward him, and the 1 gap on his side of the center if the run goes away from him.

The 52 linebacker protects the 5 gap if the play is run at him, and protects the 1 gap on the side of the center away from him if the run goes away from him.

Different defensive schemes can do the same thing with protecting the 3 gap by those two LBs:

In a 30 designation, the LB has the 3 gap on his side of the center, and no specific responsibility (he's freelancing) when the run flows away from him. He just flows to the ball.

A 31 designation says that the LB is responsible for the 3 gap (or C gap, in other systems) and the 1 gap on his side of the center if the run flows away from him.

Finally, a 32 designation says that if the run is toward his side, he has the three gap. If it moves away from that player, he has the ‘2’ gap - which is the 1 gap on the other side of the center.

It's in part because of this confusion that coaches increasingly refer to their formations as simply odd or even fronts rather than 4-3 or 5-2, 3-4, etc. and they start filling in specific responsibilities from there. The terms 4-3 and 5-2 or 3-4 are too simplistic for the modern game, but coaches try and use them for simplicity with the media and the less educated fans are forced to follow suit. There are also times when those designations are still of some use. Even odd and even front are becoming loose terms with regard to a team’s entire defense - in the modern NFL, hybrid, or as UTEP head coach Sean Kugler calls them, ‘voodoo’ defenses are increasingly the rule rather than the exception.

Strongside and weakside, as they were once interpreted, are also often being modified and given new meanings. They once referred to the side with an in-line TE in a ‘pro’ formation. With TEs often on both sides of the line, that one ceased to be universally useful. ‘Strongside’ if used by a coach can now refer to the side where there is no offensive player on the line past the OT, or where the pass is most likely - such as having two receivers or 'trips' WRs on that side, which makes it the pass-strong side.

Even in 13 personnel (1 RB, 3 TE, and 1 WR), you'll generally have more receivers on one side or the other and that can make it strong or weak, accordingly. If it’s a simple formation with one TE on the line, strong side can still refer to the TE side of the formation. They may use ‘closed’ for the TE side and ‘open’ for the side without. The game grows more complex, and the terms we use will eventually have to follow.

I know - it’s confusing at first. Very quickly, though, through normal repetition you begin to understand the jargon, and it becomes second nature. There are also various ways to identify defensive fronts that are new to most fans. Kugler, who until recently was the offensive line coach for the Steelers, did a very good presentation in 2011 on how OL players can identify defensive fronts, both inside and outside. It’s different from what you’re probably used to.

I won’t confuse things with all those details today, but he noted that they don’t talk about defensive fronts as a whole, which is the common approach for both pundits and fans alike. They break things down so that they’re simpler. There are only five possible (at least ‘rational’) defensive options that deal with the center and two offensive guards, the defensive tackle and the nose tackle. They talk about whether the center or OG are ‘covered’ - have a defensive player directly in front of them - or are uncovered, and do not. There are also four ‘exterior line‘ looks, which include the TE, and he discussed them as well. It’s an article for another day, but it points to a valuable conclusion.

Modern offenses and defenses are extremely complex and becoming more so. By breaking them down into their component parts, you as a coach can make the game much simpler for any one given position or sets of positions (such as the OL or DL). You can also be far more exact in terms of what you (and the fans) can expect from your players in a given situation.

All of those things may have to come into play to explain what JDR is doing out there. He's by far the most creative DC Denver's had since Joe Collier left (although I give Greg Robinson a lot of credit for his work during the SB winning years). He’s developed a wide range of defensive formations and methods of attack. Over time, I’ll get into more of the specifics.

Like so many things in life, the more I learn about the game, the less I think that I know. Accordingly, though - it just gets more interesting all the time.

Go Broncos!

Learn to laugh at yourself. You will be ceaselessly amused. - Sri Gary Olsen

You can reach Doc at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or follow him on Twitter @alloverfatman

Doc addresses suggestions that more double teams are coming Von Miller's way in 2013, and that they will be effective

Great read, Doc. I was a little busy last week and am catching up with my "must" reading. I am looking forward to hearing an offensive coordinator cursing "that damned voodoo defense".I am very glad that this terminology was not being used when I was in HS. Although it is not that hard when you get used to it. When you think about the Mikes that Fox has had - they usually are not that large a player but are similar to the other LBs in speed, quickness and coverage skill. I think Beason was 235 lbs. Seattle picked a guy - Bobby Wagner out of Utah State - who was listed as a OLB in round 2 last year and made him their MLB. He looked like he was doing pretty well too. He carries 242 lbs - which should help him withstand the pounding.Thanks, Doc.

Posted by BlackKnigh on 2013-02-26 22:06:08

cockneybronco I tend to prefer a single Mike. I think that there's a matter of consistency in what you expect out of who's on the field that is best filled by one player - 3 seasons back, Brooking wouldn't have come out of the game, and he still had a consistency positive impact. His experience was a major aid to the rest of the players.

That's the goal I'd be after - I know that the team can cobble together a Mike out of the parts (Trevathan in coverage and with WW in nickel, perhaps a re-contracted DJ at times, Brooking as he can, etc), but having a leader on the D who the team feels that they can trust and who sets the tone for the D hasn't happened since Al Wilson. It's probably just my own football training, but give me a three down guy who's smart and aggressive every time.

Posted by Doc Bear on 2013-02-23 13:16:54

Doc. yet another great write up. I have a question following on from Ivan's post about whether the Broncos need a proper MLB or just interchangeable LBs. The Broncos D played significantly better when Brooking started and I believed that this was because he helped set the plays and tell the other LB's and DL's where to line up and what to expect. What are your thoughts on the need for an intelligent LB who can read the game as a primary requirement for the Broncos as opposed to an excellent athlete who can't read the game? (obviously I would want a player who had both attributes)

Posted by cockneybronco on 2013-02-23 09:44:13

Doc,Thanks again.I find myself vacilating when thinking about the Bronco LB situation.While a predominant feeling on this site is that we lack a dominating MLB, I'm not totally convinced.Your article just added to my thinking. You, and others, have talked about the JDR unique approaches, and how it affects the MLB role.IMO it seems that JDR's ideal LB (and he's stated that in his defense LBs should be interchangeable) is first of all quick, secondly able to cover, a close or even interchangeable second/third to stop the run either by setting the edge or stuffing the middle.It seems that the current LB roster includes noticeable speed - with the exception of Mays and maybe Brooking. That leaves coverage and run defense, IMO both of which are coachable skills where there is LB speed.On a sliding scale reflecting speed - Miller, Woodyard, Irving, DJ, Trevathan, Johnson, Brooking, Mays - it would seem that developing coverage and run-stopping skils among at least two outside of Miller and Woodyar would be both possible and potentially extremely satisfying. I have pretty high hopes for the development of Irving, DJ (at a renegotiate contract), Trevathan and Johnson given the current developmental coaching and scheme friendlyconsistency that JDR might be able to give. I'm not sure that Te'o or even and Ogletree would be much of an improvement (thought I'd take either if they were the BPA available when drafting.In fact, with the addition of a penetrating DT and pass rushing DE (both of whom requiring double teams) I could envision Miller becoming the hybrid MLB/DE that would plague offenses throughout the NFL.Just fantacizing!

Posted by ivanthenotsobad on 2013-02-22 23:20:17

Excellent read Doc.

Posted by xBxTxDx on 2013-02-22 23:18:47

Learn to love Football there are lots of books and shows Read Doc for the rest